Oh God I'm terribly sorry for the long wait, and after the ending of the last chapter lol
I was overwhelmed with school work and thankfully I'm am now done.
So I'm happy to finally post the new chapter and hope you enjoy it.
...Incoming call: Nazz
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Missed Call at 9:30am
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New message 9:31am
Nazz: [Kevin, are you still asleep? Wake up sleepy head I got something to tell you! :3]
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New message 11:44 am
Nazz: [Dude what time did you go to sleep last night? Call me when you wake up]
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New message 3:23 pm
Nazz: [Kevin is everything alright? You're starting to worry me, why won't you answer?]
...
The tall brunette stared straight ahead with fearful eyes. His gaze moved up and saw the quiet white hall, there were various doors on each side, all with a number on them. Two women dress in scrubs walking around checking in from room to room, a young man in a wheelchair cheerfully speaking with an older woman at his side by the window down the hall. All he could hear were the beeping sounds of monitors and soft footsteps.
A click of a door opening caught his attention and he looked to his right watching as a bulky man stepped out. His expression was exhausted, though not from work, or physical, it was emotional exhaustion. The man looked up at him with sad brown eyes, his ginger hair a complete mess and his clothes from the night before utterly wrinkled. The tall teen could tell that the man had been crying, and had not slept at all.
"Thank you for coming Ed" he man's raspy voice spoke out.
Suddenly as if remembering why he was standing out in the long hall, he remembered that the Barr man had asked him to come over to stay with Kevin in case if he woke up, and in the meantime, the man would run to the house to change and grab food for them. "H-how's Kevin?" he asked.
Kevin's father gave him a small smile bringing out the wrinkles in his face "Doctor says he's going to be fine, just needs to take it easy"
Both stood out in that quiet, slightly eerie hallway in silence unsure of what to say in this unusual event that had happened. Ed still was confused why the ginger had overdosed on medications, Kevin's father had mentioned little over the phone and as he stood in front of the man he knew he wasn't going to get any answer either. So he left it alone.
"Go on inside, I'll be right back" Kevin's father patted Ed's shoulder lightly and headed down the hall.
Ed hesitantly opened the door and peeked inside. Kevin was in the middle of the room fast asleep with tiny tubes all over his body. The only sound was the heartbeat monitor, it was a steady beat. He walked over slowly and stood beside the boy looking down at him. What the hell happened?
He looked down at the phone on the small bedside table indicating him there was a new message. He read through the messages unable to answer for fear of how the blond girl was going to respond. What was he supposed to tell her? That he broke his promise of keeping the ginger boy safe? That he had left Kevin alone...
That he had failed someone once again...
A vibration in his hand caused him to jump startled by the touch, it was a message from…E? [Did you arrive home in one piece last night?]
Ed quirked an eyebrow confused about who the person on the other side of the phone was, and where had Kevin gone to last night? Wondering if this E person had anything to do with the reason the Kevin was now laying in the hospital bed. He looked up watching the teen sleeping blissfully though his expression was tired clearly having had an emotional night. He tried his hardest to think of the people that Kevin knew, and the ones that would most likely have his number. As he stared down at the simple message it came to his realization that E stood for Eddward.
Now what should he do? Message or call back? Tell the truth or tell a lie? Well, what would he be getting out of a lie anyways? Maybe just ignore it? Though who knew when the boy was going to wake up and Double D was going to find out one way or another anyways right... maybe he knew what happened?
And so he hesitantly pressed the call button unsure if the other was going to pick up. He stared down at Kevin as he waited feeling a bit scared and unsure of what to say. After a short couple of seconds, Eddward picked up. "Afternoon, I assume your tantrum is over?"
"H-Hey D…I-it's Ed" The brunette spoke quietly as he rubbed his sweaty hands on his worn out jeans.
Eddward had gone silent and Ed could practically see the irritated expression the teen must have on his face, had it been in a different situation he would have laughed. "I'm hanging up" the raven haired announced.
"WAIT! I-it's about Kevin" Ed panicked a moment tugging at the edge of his long shirt praying the other wouldn't hang up.
There was silence for a moment as if the other was thinking then he spoke "what is it?" some hesitance in the tone of his voice making Ed wonder of Double D truly had any clue as to the events of what had led to Kevin laying in that room.
"I saw your message, did you see him last night?" Ed asked
"Yes…Ed why do you have his phone?" The brunette was still slightly shocked to hear the caring and concerned tone his old friend spoke in. It had been a long time since he had heard Double D speak in that way and by his observations, there was clearly something growing between the two teens, be it friendship or a simple bond.
He sat down on the seat next to Kevin's bed, the heart monitor the only sound that could be heard in that small closed room "D I don't know what to say…" he paused looking over the ginger boy's body "s-something happened to Kevin, something bad" he whispered out the last bit.
The tall teen could practically see the worry from the swimmer through the hesitant breathing "Spit it out Ed" came out a dry voice.
Ed internally whined his saddened expression staring at Kevin's peaceful face and realizing had it not been for Mr. Barr's sudden action, Kevin Barr would most likely cease to exist. "He's in the hospital…" he whispered out.
That was the only thing he managed to get out before Eddward hanged up on him leaving him with startled eyes. He took the phone away from his ear and looked down at it seeing the red letters flash Call Ended on the screen.
…
"He's in the hospital…"
He knew it, he knew it, he fucking knew it!
Out of pure fear of hearing more from the brunette, Eddward hanged up immediately the voices in his head screaming out guilt and regret as his hand tightly gripped the phone. He clenched and unclenched his fists with anger at himself. He had clearly seen that Kevin was not alright the previous night. Clearly, the kid was going through some sort of anxiety from whatever it was that stirred him up and he had let him leave knowing that this was a possible outcome. He had prayed it wouldn't have happened, that the teen would have arrived home safe and sound and he would have woken up the next morning to give him a call or anything at all. Anything to let the raven haired teen know that he had recovered and he had cleared his mind of anger.
But that was not the case
Kevin was in the hospital. How bad was it? He was too afraid to know, though now he wished it was something small like the teen had fallen of his bike and broken a small bone or scraped a knee. He wouldn't dare to think of anything worse. Heavily breathing he searched for his keys with only the thoughts of getting to the peach creek hospital heightened.
As he drove he forced his mind to go on blank so he could drive fast yet safely. It seemed for a moment as if his body was on autopilot, the surrounding sounds a muffled mess and sights blurry for his focus was to getting to his destination as fast as he could. The swimmer couldn't help but impatiently tap at the wheel and hiss every time he came to a stop or had to slow down because of a slow driver blocking his path.
He pulled his phone out as he arrived and park and dialed Kevin's phone hoping Ed was still there "Hello?" came a quiet voice from the brunette.
"Ed, what room is Kevin situated in?" he asked closing the door to his car and locking it, keys placed in his jeans back pocket.
"Oh um, 326 in the third floor I think" Ed answered and paused to think a moment "Are you here?" he asked curiously.
Before giving the brunette any answer Eddward hanged up once again as he entered the facility and headed straight to the elevator. Fortunately (though not so much really) he had been there a couple times in his younger years and still remembered where most of everything was. It was kind of weird though. The hospital hallways to the average person would look all alike, though to him they were very distinct. He'd remember roaming through the hallways at 5 years old with a paper air plane in his hand. He remembered the faces of old doctors that used to give him a lollipop or a sticker as he bumped into them, they now simply smiled and directed him a nod. He remembered running around in search for sticky notes his mother had placed around as he played treasure hunting. The price? His mother standing at the entrance of the hospital with her hand extended out for him to grab so they could go buy him a new book. The raven haired lowly growled irritated at the annoying memories that refused to leave him as he made his way to the second floor.
"Eddward?" a tired voice called out from behind.
He turned around to see a woman, most likely around her late 40's, with long dark hair pulled back neatly in a low ponytail, her dark skin beautifully complimenting her light eyes. Ah, yes he remembered her instantly. "Afternoon, Dr. Jones"
"I haven't seen you in so long Eddward, you've grown to be a very handsome young man" she smiled up at him.
"Uh, thank you" He answered beginning to feel very awkward with the interaction "if you'll please excuse me I'm here to see someone"
"Oh, if you're looking for your father, I believe he's doing a surgery at the moment" he placed a hand on her cheek in thought "I'm sure you could wait in his office if you liked"
He felt his fist clench tightly on instinct, the scars the hid under his sleeve painful burned at the mention of the man that was called his father "no ma'am I'm not searching for…father, I'm here for someone else"
"A friend? Well then I won't hold you back dear, I'll let your father know you were here" she smiled warmly.
"There's no need to bother him Dr. Jones, he is a very busy man" he gave her a nod and walked away heading to the elevator. A small panicked heart beat began to eat away at him as he realized his father was working there at the same time that he was there. Damn, he'd have to make his visit quick if he didn't want absolutely any chances of running into the man.
As he waited he began to lightly tap his leg with a finger as he thought about the many possibilities of Kevin's condition at the moment. Maybe he should have let Ed tell him, because if worse came to worse regret would eat at him faster than any parasite could. Then he froze for a moment as he though if Ed was the only one here with Kevin? Was Kevin's father there at the moment? His fist clenched a bit as he felt panicked thoughts flooding his head. Then again he began to think that perhaps the brunette wouldn't have called him when Kevin's father was present…maybe he should had let the other finish.
With more hesitant steps he made his way out and back into the hallway of the third floor. He looked at the room numbers reading them in his head. 305…310…314…319…324…326.
He stood looking steadily at the number on the door, his fist clenching and unclenching as he was unsure of what to do at the moment go in or just turn back now that he still had the chance. He held the phone in his hand tightly and breathed in a stutter as the idea that Kevin was on the other side of this hospital room began to pound at him. Kevin…in a hospital…
The raven haired finally stepped a bit closer and lightly knocked hoping to god that Ed was the only one there, or else he'd have to deal with the man that was Kevin's father. He looked away from the door in slight fear of who he was going to face and what he would see inside.
Fortunately for him, the tall brunette was the one to open the door with a bit of a shocked expression on his face. "Hey" he croaked out.
Eddward simply gave him a worried look unable to find his voice, thankfully his old friend knew him well enough to read the look and answered "He's fine, just asleep" he moved aside to direct the other to go inside.
With steady footsteps, he walked inside the room watching as the plain white room came into full view. The window on the opposite side of the wall lit the room with the sunlight, the small couch that sat under the window, the bedside table on the left, the bed next to that, and Kevin.
Kevin laid fast asleep on the bed, with tubes up his nose and a Pulse Oximeter clipped on his freckled finger. He was wearing a gown and half his body covered by the light bed sheet. Some relief was washed away as he saw no scratched or wounds on the boy's body, though his face looked slimmer and his skin color much paler than before.
He turned back to look at the taller teen unsure of anything at the moment "What happened?" he asked in a whisper as if any noise was going to wake the ginger boy.
"He…uh…" Ed swallowed some saliva feeling his throat dry rapidly "Nurse said he overdosed on some pain killers" he awkwardly lifted Kevin's cell phone "was hoping you knew something about it"
Eddward shook his head slowly as he turned back to see the sleeping teen "I would have thought his father would have told you" he spoke softly.
"No, he won't say much of anything" Ed placed his hands in his pockets and walked over to the small couch to sit down.
"Where is he?" Eddward made his way to stand next to Kevin's bed, noticing his freckles standing out more than ever.
The brunette leaned back on the couch observing the careful movements of the other who looked down at the teen. "He left to get some things at the house" it was still weird to see the interaction between the two. How had Kevin done it? How did he give the mighty shark enough humanity to care for him the way he did. It was clear enough how those blue eyes, once which possessed no life, now had a light of concern, fear and care.
For god's sake, the guy drove all the way here to see Kevin, to see if he was alright without knowing the condition the teen was in. It has most definitely been the most selfless that Ed has ever seen Eddward Vincent be, well at least in years. This alone was beyond proof that Eddward Vincent was worth saving and that Kevin truly had been right all along.
"Then I presume it shouldn't be long before he returns, correct?" Eddward looked up at Ed.
"I suppose" Ed stared back then took a breath "um, I'll go to the bathroom before you go" he said standing up. He received an unfocused nod from the other as he was now looking back down onto the ginger boy. The brunette watched one more time as he slowly opened the door then made his way out. He wondered if Kevin had any clue what power he held over Double D.
…
Eddward barely heard the door closing as his focused was on the boy underneath him. How peculiar this scene seemed. Never in a million years would he have imagined Kevin Barr in the hospital. It was as if Kevin didn't belong here, in this plain room, on this bed, in this state. He held every urge to rip those tubes from his face, because it just didn't make sense and it angered him. He should be the one in Kevin's place in all honestly.
What the hell was Kevin doing? One day yelling at him how it was not ok to be doing these things then he goes and does it, was he some hypocrite? How? Why? What had driven him to this? The roles should have been switched, Never Kevin, never him!
He took a seat on the chair breathing heavily. It should have never been Kevin, never in those beatings, never should he have abandoned him, never been in the middle of anything.
This kid deserved none of it…
Oh God…Eddward felt a huge rush of nausea and for a moment felt on the edge of hurling as the realization that there was a possibility that last night would have been the absolute last time he'd see this teen ever again. The thought was too painful, too scary…too real.
"Eddward…" he looked up immediately meeting tired and confused olive eyes. "Why are you crying?" The boy asked trying to sit up.
The rave haired teen stood gently pushing the other back down. "No reason" he spoke softly.
"Liar" Kevin pouted then turned to look at his surroundings sighing "Right…hospital" His frown deepened as he remembered where he was. "Wait, where's my dad? What are you even doing here?"
"Your father is out at the moment, left Ed here and he informed me of your condition" the taller teen finished a bit awkwardly taking his seat again.
"Oh…" Kevin looked down before clearing his throat awkwardly "I d-didn't meant to, ya know" he said uncomfortably.
Eddward looked up with saddened eyes "It's weird to hear this from you"
Kevin opened his mouth to speak the closed as if he couldn't find his voice. Then slowly he reached down to grab at the sleeve of the black jacket that the other wore wondering for a moment how in the hell was this guy able to wear warm clothing in the summer, it was a funny thought. "I didn't meant to, honest to god I didn't" he breathed out looking up at those wonderful crystal eyes.
"I believe you" Eddward whispered out giving a small squeezed to the freckled hand that was holding his jacket.
Feeling relief Kevin breathed in comfortably wrapping a finger around one of Eddward's "I had a really painful headache last night, I just wanted to make the pain go away but next thing I know I'm literally suffocating…Doc says I had a panic attack" he laughed a bit maliciously "and well here I am…"
Eddward sighed "you were fine just hours before…what caused this?"
Kevin frowned reaching the back of his neck with his free hand and lightly scratching at the freckled skin. "I think I was just overwhelmed with everything…over stressed…I don't know…" he whispered out with an angered expression.
"You're seriously not going to tell me?" Eddward raised an eyebrow.
The ginger teen looked up with worried eyes "I…I just haven't had time to think clearly yet. I don't really know what to say or how to feel" he moved his gaze how at their intertwined fingers and mentally took note how comforting it felt, all he knew was that he never wanted to let go. "I just don't know…" Kevin frowned more thinking how pitiful and stupid he was.
A door clicked open and they quickly changed their attention to the door and awkwardly let go of each other's hand. Kevin could see Eddward tensed up completely until Ed appeared in sight. The brunette was overjoyed to see the boy awake "You're finally awake!" he smiled.
"Hey Ed" Kevin smiled back giving the tall teen a weak wave.
In the moment the raven haired teen stood up "Make sure to eat and get rest. I'll be taking my leave now" he felt Kevin grab at his sleeve once again with wide eyes. He looked back meeting the teen with those same wide eyes feeling as if the boy was secret telling him to stay. Though, as much as he wanted to stay by his side he really didn't want to face Kevin's father. He didn't have any right to face him, to be here, or be given the compassion Kevin gave him. He would be foolish to show his face after everything that he's done.
Kevin sheepishly looked away and let him go "Alright, um I should be out by tomorrow morning"
Eddward gave the freckled teen a soft reassuring smile "good" he said in a low calm voice. He turned to Ed and gave him a small nod towards the door directing the taller teen to follow him out.
Ed did so, and they closed the door behind them. "What's up Double D?" he asked
Eddward looked down the hall observing the passing nurses "Thank you for telling me"
The brunette smiled and gave him a nod "He could really use our support now more than ever"
"Yeah…" Eddward shifted "Keep me informed…please…you know what number to call" he quickly pointed to Ed's pocket where Kevin's phone was stored in. "Save it in your phone"
"Will do DD" Ed smiled feeling a little more hopeful that he could make amends with his old friend.
Eddward then gave him a nod and turned to walk away, he heard the door open and close behind him. As he waited in the elevator he looked up and closed his eyes, his back leaning against the cool glass and breathed out in huge relief. Thank god was all he would say.
He heard the doors open and he stepped out, and as he looked straight ahead he felt his heart come to a complete stop…
A man, taller than him with sun-kissed skin and bright short orange hair walk into the elevator. He was most definitely not a man to mess with, especially if it was about his son. There was no doubt in the world who that man was, though the odd thing was that an angered woman followed close behind. Her freckled face and petite body resembled the boy upstairs awfully similar.
He looked at the pair with confused yet observant eyes…just what the hell happened yesterday?
…
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, though it's another short(ish) one.
Please leave a review, I enjoy reading them very much and helps me stay motivated!
Let me know if you have any thoughts, predictions, and any feels (I'm beyond excited to write the chapter after the next one, it'll be a lot of fluffy/ emotional bonding moments between the two)
Look forward to the next time i update! and let's see what happens next.
I hope you have a lovely Day/Night